A QUARREL AT OTAKI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 17, 21 October 1879, Page 2

A QUARREL AT OTAKI.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MANAWATU HERALD

Sir— lf you have space will you kindly insert this letter. C see in your paper of last week that William Knocks was lined £l 11s for fighting, and£s 12s for resisting the constable in the execution of his duty ; iv default, three months' imprisonment. The fine is correct, but you have been misinformed as to the imprisonment. It was fourteen days for fighting, and one month for resisting the constable. Now, Mr Editor, I think that it is nothing but fair that the circumstances of the case should be shown as well as the judgment. It occurred in this manner : Knocks and a Maori were in the hotel at Otaki — the' Maori being drunk, and Knocks sober. They were in the taproom in company with several others, when the Maori tried to begin a quarrel with Knocks by striking him. Knocks, lieeing that the Maori was drunk, tried to evade him by leaving the room, but the native would not allow him to do so, the consequence being that a scuffle ensued. The publican's attention was drawn to the mutter, and he, finding the door had been locked from the inside— ns is often the rase —immediately ran for the constahle. On their arriving, the door was opened from the iuside by Mr Hector M'Donald. '1 he constable, without inquiring into the circumstances, took Knocks in charge, letting the native who caused the disturbance go free. Knocks went off quietly to the lookup, and was left there. It being very cold he commenced to warm himself. When the constable went back and told him he was going to put the handcuffs on him, Knocks objected to it being done, and refused to allow him to do so, on which the constable called for assistance, and handcuffed him. At the hearing of the oasc. there were two witnesses called by the constable, and both stated that they saw no fighting between Kuocko and the Maori. James Kansfield stated in court that what he saw appeared to be pl»y, between Knocks and the Maori. There is one thing that I should like to be enlightened on, Mr Editor, viz., — Knocks being under age, his brother asked to be allowed to watch his case, which, however, was refused, the constable stating that it was contempt of court to ask such a thing unless by a solicitor : do you think the fine inflicted was fair f I am. &c, Justice. Otaki, Ootober 16.